What is Advent?

Jesus is Coming

• Advent is a season of preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. This season begins the new Liturgical Year. Each week focuses on a virtue: hope, peace, joy, and love. In this season, we are participating by preparing for the coming of Christ on Earth. We reflect on the meaning of the season and focus our gaze in anticipation of the coming Savior rather than worldly desires.
• “When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. By celebrating the precursor’s birth and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’” (CCC 524)

How long is this season?

Nov. 29, 2026 - Dec. 24th, 2026

Liturgical Color

• Purple - This color represents preparation as well as penance, as we quiet our hearts in our anticipation of the joy of Christmas.
• Rose - This color is worn on the third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday. This color represents the joy in anticipation of Christmas.
  

Feast Days in Advent:

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8)

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec. 12)

Feast of St. Nicholas (Dec. 6)

Get to know the Saints:

Our Lady of Guadalupe - The apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe was to a poor Nahua man named Juan Diego in 1531 on a hill outside of Mexico City. Our Lady asked the man to build a church and to go to the Bishop. Juan Diego went but was rejected by the bishop. He was once again visited by Our Lady, who told him to take flowers in his tilma to the bishop to kindle his faith. When Juan Diego returned to the Bishop, he lowered his tilma to reveal the flowers, and the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared on it. This tilma remains incorrupt in Mexico City on display. 

St. John the Baptist - Commonly known as the voice which declares the Word (Jesus Christ). He is a model of patience and joyful anticipation of Christ. He lived in the wilderness under harsh circumstances which deepened his faith and dependence on God. 

Virtues to consider/contemplate this season: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love

Things to look out for: Advent Wreath, Empty Manger, Jesse Tree